Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison lit up Twitter over the weekend, announcing he purchased a new house for his mother — something he said he promised her when he was just 8 years old, living in the “projects’’ in New Iberia and Lake Charles, Louisiana.
“It was a competition between my brother and I,’’ Harrison said Monday after the Giants’ first OTA practice. “He told my mom that he would be the one to do it, so we were pushing each other for a while as kids but about 19 years later, I made that dream come true and it was awesome.’’
Harrison was in position to make this dream come true after signing a five-year, $46.25 million contract that includes $24 million in guaranteed money. The former Jets nose tackle is currently lining up alongside Johnathan Hankins as a starting defensive tackle for the Giants.
Harrison said he went with his mother, Brunella Harrison, to see the house in Lake Charles, but did not tell her he was thinking about buying it for her.
“I made her think that it was just another house that they were looking at and I made her think it wasn’t a possibility,’’ Harrison said.
It is a far cry from the three-bedroom apartment Harrison grew up in with six family members.
“I told my mom, I was joking with her and told her that whole apartment can fit in her kitchen now,’’ Harrison said. “I’m still smiling on the inside. I just got done texting with her and she said she is still crying.’’
As expected, WR Victor Cruz did not participate in the practice, coming off calf surgery and missing the entire 2015 season. The plan is to have Cruz ready for training camp July 28.
“Small steps,’’ coach Ben McAdoo said.
Jason Pierre-Paul, wearing a custom-made glove on his right hand, reached up and came away with a two-handed interception.
“Nice catch,’’ McAdoo said.
Center Weston Richburg attracted attention last month when he expressed disappointment that his offensive linemen did not join him working out in Arizona at the LeCharles Bentley O-Line Performance Academy.
“Well, those things were taken out of context,’’ Richburg said. “Speaking on what I believe about the place I train, I think it is a great spot. I wish everybody could be out there because we do some really great stuff. I will be out there every offseason until I am done playing.’’
Richburg added teammate John Jerry also works out at Bentley’s facility.
Safety Cooper Taylor had surgery to repair a sports hernia and is out of commission until training camp. … Nat Berhe lined up as a starter at safety alongside Landon Collins. … The three linebackers with the first-team defense were Devon Kennard, Jasper Brinkley and Jonathan Casillas. … Bennett Jackson, returning from injuries, was the slot corner with the first nickel. … The starting right side of the offensive line was Jerry at guard and Marshall Newhouse at tackle. … Eli Manning on rookie WR Sterling Shepard: “He’s caught everything that’s been thrown at him these last couple of weeks on the field, so that’s always a good start for a receiver.’’